If you haven't heard about the gig economy, you've been living in a cave. Believe it or not, the gig economy - also known as "non-traditional employment" - will be the primary income source for 43 percent of the American workforce by next year.

Like real estate, the economy is all about location, location, location. Not all states offer a potential robust income for gig economy workers. The best locations offer a mix of sizable market opportunity, strong income potential, and supportive legal and tax structures.

 

With this in mind, the editors at FitSmallBusiness.com, the digital business publication studied a variety of factors to determine which states offer the most opportunities for gig economy workers – and which states you should avoid.

THIS is the complete report.

The Best and Worst States for Gig Economy Workers in 2019

The Best
#1 Hawaii
#2 Virginia
#3 Colorado
#4 Washington
#5 Texas

The Worst
#46 Arkansas
#47 Mississippi
#48 Idaho
#49 Montana
#50 West Virginia

Fit Small Business editors used this following weighted metrics to compile the ranking:

• Legal impediments to gig economy work – 20 percent
• Market size – 20 percent
• Gig economy workers' median income – 20 percent
• Tourism potential – 20 percent
• Income tax – 10 percent
• Out-of-pocket cost of health insurance – 10 percent

"More and more people are relying on gig economy jobs for their income," says Eric Noe, Editor-in-Chief, Fit Small Business. "It's nice to know that if I ever decide to chuck it all and move to Hawaii, that I'll be able to support myself."